Sports Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo Joins PokerStars as Global Brand Ambassador

Ronaldo makes announcement via personal video to his 103 million Facebook fans

MONTREAL, May 27, 2015 /CNW/ - Portuguese football/soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Team PokerStars as a brand ambassador and will promote the game and the brand in global marketing campaigns, PokerStars, an Amaya Inc. (TSX:AYA)  brand, announced today.

The superstar player announced his new role via a personal video placed on his Facebook page where he is the most followed person on the ubiquitous social site with more than 103 million fans.  In addition to his huge Facebook following, he has amassed over 35.5 million followers on Twitter.

"I like playing for winning teams and PokerStars is the perfect partner for me," Ronaldo said. "As a brand, it is always looking at ways to improve and stay ahead of the curve, and as an athlete that is something I truly respect. I started playing poker a few years ago and I love the competition, strategy and fun. I'm looking forward to taking my game to the online and live poker tables and meeting my fans head to head. Although football is my world, poker has always been my game. I'm very excited to join the team."

"The poker table is not a new arena for athletes, as many have, over the years, sought other ways to satisfy their love for competition, and pursue challenges. Ronaldo is one of the most famous names in the world and PokerStars is thrilled to partner with him. We look forward to him spreading his love of the game worldwide by sharing his PokerStars experiences with his huge social following and fan base," said Michael Hazel, interim CEO of PokerStars.

Amaya Chairman and CEO David Baazov said: "Ronaldo is part of a new generation of global superstar athletes that work hard, play smart and encourage their fans to share in their lives. We're proud that Ronaldo - and fellow elite player Neymar Jr - have chosen to make PokerStars a partner in their journey and to share their love of the game of poker with their legions of fans."

Ronaldo is one of the most successful and popular sports stars in the world, and is often labelled as one of the greatest players of all time. Known for his blistering speed and astounding ability to score goals, the current World Footballer of the Year will take up a new challenge, this time on the green felt of poker tables.

Ronaldo will promote PokerStars in advertising campaigns, and make special appearances in major live events and online poker tournaments. An event scheduled for later this year will even see his fans win a chance to meet and challenge him at the poker table.

Ronaldo has secured his standing as a footballing great and has been awarded with various honours including three FIFA Ballon d'Or World Player of the Year awards, two Champions League medals, a treasure chest of domestic league titles and multiple scoring records. As the newest member of Team PokerStars, Ronaldo joins a winning team of some of the best poker players in the world, as well as other renowned athletes including one of football's all-time greats Ronaldo Nazário, Olympic gold winning field hockey captain Fatima Moreira de Melo, Brazil's star striker and team captain Neymar Jr, and 14-time tennis Grand Slam winner Rafa Nadal.

Ronaldo will play on PokerStars under the User ID 'C.Ronaldo'.

This is the second major signing by PokerStars this month, having announced Neymar Jr as a brand ambassador on May 7. The signings are part of the company's investment in attracting mainstream consumers to poker.

About PokerStars

PokerStars operates the world's most popular online poker sites, serving the global poker community. Since it launched in 2001, PokerStars has become the first choice of players all over the world, with more daily tournaments than anywhere else and with the best security online. More than 130 billion hands have been dealt on PokerStars, which is more than any other site.

PokerStars.com and PokerStars.eu operate globally under licenses from the Isle of Man and Malta governments, respectively. PokerStars also holds separate government licenses in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

PokerStars is a member of The Rational Group, which operates gaming-related businesses and brands, including PokerStars, Full Tilt and the European Poker Tour. In 2012, 2013 and 2014, Rational Group companies in the UK and Isle of Man won recognition as one of the best workplaces in the UK being awarded a top 25 position by the Great Place to Work Institute's Best Workplaces – Large category rankings. Rational Group entities in Costa Rica and Dublin also achieved the same accolade in their respective local rankings in 2014. PokerStars is owned by Amaya Inc. (TSX: AYA).

SOURCE Amaya Inc.

Image with caption: "Football/soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is the newest global brand ambassador for Amaya Inc.'s brand PokerStars, the world's largest poker business. (CNW Group/PokerStars)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150527_C4865_PHOTO_EN_17069.jpg

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